Mechanism for timing mixing and other operations



April 14, 1931. s. SHAFER. JR

MECHANISM EOR'TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April 50, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet l April 14, 1931. s. SHAFER. JR

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April 50, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 2 April 14, 1931. s. SHAFER. JR

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April 30, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 5 S. SHAFER. JR

April 14, 1931.

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed April 30 l IIH lllllllllll gnuenf o1,

April 1931- s. SHAFER. JR 1,800,666

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April so, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 5 0,8 kw/a4 Fatented Apr. 14, 193i UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE SAMUEL SHAFER, 53., F MILWAUKEE, JTISGON'SIhT, ASSIGNOR T0 CHAINBELT COM- IPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATIQN OF WISCONSINMECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Application filed April30,

This invention relates generally to mecha: nism for timing mechanicaloperations; althoughthe embodiment thereof herein illustrated anddescribed has been devised particularly for use in connection withconcrete mixing apparatus.

.The restrictions placed upon users of concrete mixing machinery arebecoming more and more severe, as investigation proves that the timeelement. in mixing concrete is an exceedingly important factor.

This invention has for one of its objects to produce an improved timingmechanism, or batch meter, as itis called when used in connectinn withconcrete mixing machinery, that shall not commence its measuringoperation until certain preliminaries are completed; although themechanism may be set for operationior an indeterminate length of timepro liminary to its beginning its timing or measuringi'unction. Thus,applied to a concrete mixing machine, the timing mechanism or batch.meter may be set when the operation of charging the mixing drum begins.But thetimingoif the mixing period does not com mence until all of theaggregates have entered into the mixing drum, or, which is prac ticallythe. same thing, mtil the loading device, whatever its character, beginsits return movement.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a. batch meter ortiming mechanism that operates accurately under all con ditions,thatlmaybe adjustedior a longer or shorter period of timing, and whosefunctions and, operations are not aiiected by the position of themechanism relative to the horizontal.

A further object of the invention is to produce a timing mechanismorbatch meter that gives a signal or alarm the instant it begins tooperate as a timing device, and anothersignal or alarm at. the end ofthe timed period, when it completes its operation.

Further objects ot the invention are'to improve the apparatus in itsvarious details and features of construction, inatter pointed out.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is aside view, largely diagram which will behere- 1926. Serial No. 105,798.

matic, of a concrete paving machine, showing one way of adapting thepresent invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation illustrating anothermanner of applying the invention to a concrete mixing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a batch meter embodying the present invention,parts of the end wall of the enclosing casing being broken away toexpose to view the apparatus within.

Fig. 4: is a front view of thetiming apparatus, the parts beingrepresented in normal position, that is, the position which they shouldoccupy when the material is not being mixed.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the timing apparatus showing the parts in setposition but before the timing operation has begun.

Figs, 6, 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views all taken on the lineVIVI, of Fig. 9, and parts beingomitted for the sake of clearness; Fig.6 showing the parts in normal position, Fig. 7 in the position theyoccupy when the apparatus isset, and Fig. 8 representing the position ofthe parts at the completion of the mixing operation.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IXIX of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a detail horizontal sectional view, many parts being notshown, taken on the line XX of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of the control cylinder element of themechanism.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line XIIXII of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13. is a sectional view on the line XIIL-XIII of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the cylinder element of the mechanism and someof its associated parts.

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view on the line XV-XV of Fig, 14. a

Fig. 16 is an endview of the cylinder'element.

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the restricting valve 24.

Fig. 18. is a' plan view of the piston element working in the controlcylinder.

. Fig; 19 is a sectional view on the line XIXXIX of Fig. 18. j Fig. 2 0is'a' detail Sectional view taken on the line XX.XX Fig. 10.

Many of the parts of the pavingmachine to Whichthe invention is'a ppliedhave been omitted from the drawings, which are largely diagrammatic asto such machine. Referring tothecdrawings, A indicates a rotating mixingdrum suitably mounted upon a movable support, B the chargingskiptherefor,

pivotally supported at b, and Cthe discharge chute. The latter is of thepower-driven type, the mechanism for controlling andmoving the dischargechute being mounted w thin a casing This mechanism may be like 7 thatillustrated in Patent 1,415,411 of May 9,

19-22, .to Samuel Shafer, Jr, and-thereforeis not illustrated indetaiLit'being deemed sufficient to show] only the exposed handle F bywhich theoperating mechanism for. the discharge chute is controlled andput into c onnection with. the power shaft that operates it. N Erepresents the, casing within which is mounted the .batch timingmechanism constituting the present invention. 7 r

a This mechanism is arranged tobe inter mittently operated, being setwhen the charging of the mix-ingdrum takes place but not started intooperationuntil such charging operation has been fully completed. 7 Thus,

as illustrated in Fig.1, when the loading" skip B comes to position todeliver its charge into the 'm'ixing drum, as represented in sented inFig. 5,.

A spring 3, referablylocated withintheV casing E,,is connectedwiththearm 2 and tends to moveit and 'its associatedparts intonormal'position ,7 I

The arm 2 is supported upon alshaft314. The connection 1 ofthe arin withthe batch timing mechanism, which it directly moves,

' is not rigid orffixed, but rather is through a v spring, in a manner.and for aj'plurpose that will be presently" described. As, the skipcomes-to loading-position and theame and the shaft. with-whichitisjconnected are moved, .thebatch timing mechanism is ,set, but itdoes not'beginito operate until the 7 skip has completely 1 discharged,andthe entire batch of materials to be mixed has been delivered intothemixing drum, which completed operation is: evidenced by the attendantstarting the skip upon. its return or downward movement, whereupon thebatch timing mechanism starts, and an alarm or signal is'givento notifythat the timing of the mixing has begun. 1 V

The connection between thearm 2 and the mechanismsiit controlsisthrougha spring 7 16 (Fig. 10)located in a cylindrical spring box '38,that is mounted, so as to. be free to turn,iin a bearing 40, shown'asbeing integral with the rear wall of the casing E. The spring box hasalso bearing upon the shaft 34, relativeto whichlitiszifreely rotatable.

One end of the spring 16 is secured to the V casing orbox38, and theother end to a sleeve 3 5 surrounding the shaft 34, and also free toturn thereon, The sleeve has bearing "in a face plate 39 that covers thespring box 38, and is provided exteriorly ,of said face plate with ahead 36 that is'peripherally'notched. I

The arm 2 is mounted upon'a disc 28 keyed to, the shaft 34, beingsecured thereto frictionally so as to permiteasy angular adjustment. Thedisc carries a pawl 37, (Fig. 20)" the free end of which is adapted toenter the notches of the head'36 of the sleeve 35, this arrangementproviding for adjusting the tension of the spring, whose office is topermit an overrunning ofthe arm 2 afterthe cylindrical box 38,'a-nd thedisc 4"which'it carries, 7

have been arrested; without liability of straining or breakage of'partspdThe disc 4 just referred to is located within the casing E, issupported concentrically upon the shaft 34, and is turned by the springbox 38 of which it is preferably an integralpart, constituting theinnerend thereof, and being of greater-diameter than the portion of the boxmounted in the bearing 40. I Theperipheral edge of the disc 4 has formedin it. two notches or recesses, 6 and 31, 6 to 8) and is formed withorilcarries two projec- V tions 32 and 33; It also carries an inwardlypivotal connection for a link' fif'uniting the springB with the disc.

the timing mechanism is s'etu'pon the movementof the armQ from theposition shown 7 I will next describe thema'nner inwhich iIIFigs. l7andf4 to" that represented inFig. 5,

and I may herestate that'suchtiming mecha struction. Y

nism f includes ,dashpot of peculiar con extending pin 8 andapin'th'atserves asthe 7 1O designates. a shaft suitably supportedandTi-n axial alignmentwi-th the shaft 34',

carries an arm 9, whichis keyed thereto and is located in position to beacted upon by the pinS projecting fromthe disc, the pin engaging withthe arm when the disc' is being turned 'from normal position to the setposisee Fig.10, At its end toward thedisc 4 it tion, but separatingfromthe arm and travel-- ing at amuch more rapid rate as the partsreturn to normal positions. Thejshaft 10,

at theend oppositethe arms, carries a large disoll, (F igs. 4, 5 and 9)a portion "ofthe batch timing mechanism when the loading skip comes todischarging position, and is then freed from connection with the latterwhenit is lowered. The gear 11 is connected, by a link 23, with abatchcounter G; so that F at each operation of' the timing mechanism thecounter registers that a batch ofconcrete has. been mixed.

65. indicates the cylinder of the timing mechanism suitably supportedwithin the we ing E and formed with a lon itudinal bore in whichoperates a piston 67, (Figs. 12, 18 and 19') the cylinder containing asuitable liquid such as oilor glycerine, that circulates as the pistonis reciprocated, flowing freely from one side of the piston tothe otherwhen it moves in one direction, but the flow being restricted whenthe-movement of the piston is in the opposite direction. Plugs 73 at theopposite ends ofthe cylinder close the bore in which the pistonoperates. There is a longitudinal passage 68 through the piston,permitting free fiow of the liquid from one side of the piston to theother when it is moved in one direction. A stop valve 15 preferably ofspherical shape serves to prevent flow of liquid through the passage 68when the piston is moved in the opposite direction, this valve beingheld to itsseat by a. spring 69; A bypass 70 within the body of thecylinder conducts the fluid around the piston. In this by-pass isarranged a valve 24 through which is a restricted opening 75. Upon thestem of this valve is mounted an arin 25, (Figs. 14 and15) the free endof which is movable over the face of a segment 26 attached to thecylinder 65. Bymoving the arm the valve is adjusted to vary the size oftheexposed area of the opening through the valve 24. The arm may besetin the posit-ion to which it may be moved by aset screw 27. There is atransverse opening 29 between the bypass 7 O and the central bore of thecylinder 65, and a radial opening 71 through the piston 67 communicatingwith thelongitudinal passage 68 therein. These two openings, 29 and 71,are so related that they register as the piston is terminating itsreturn movement, and just as the timed mixing period is completed, thusforming a cut-off or shunt passage between the opposite ends of thepiston, short-circuiting the valve 24. The opening into the bypassthrough the end of the cylinder. is closed by a plug 72.

The piston 67 is provided with a stem or rod formed into a rack 14 withwhich engages a pinion 13 on the shaft 64. The forward end of the stemof the piston is provided with a head 74 that serves as a guidetherefor, such headv being perforated to permit easy passage of theliquid confined within the cylinder as the piston ismoved.

Thecylinder 65-is exteriorly provided with a pair of lugs-66 throughwhich extends the shaft 10 carrying the gear 11 and between which islocated a coiled spring 76 (Fig. 13) that operates to move the piston inone direction. One end of thisspring is connected with the cylinder 65or with the lugs 66, as may be most convenient, and the other end with asleeve 77 mounted on and adjustable circumferentially about the shaft10. This sleeve is supported so as to turn freely in one of the lugs 66,which may serve as a bearing therefor, and is formed with a notched head81 with which engages a pawl 82 carried by the gear 11, whicharrangement serves as a connection between the sleeve and the pinion,that is rigid for working conditions but permitting adjustment of thesleevein order to vary the tension of the spring 76, as may be required.The adjusting means for this spring are similar to those which havealready been described in detail for the spring 16 connected with shaft34, and hence need not be further described in detail. hen the shaft 10is turned by the coming of the skip to loading position, through thetrain of mechanism including the arm 2 and the shaft 34, as has beendescribed, the piston is quickly moved back, through the train ofgearing including gear wheels 11 and 12, the shaft 64, and the pinion 13that engages with the rack 14 on the stem or rod of the piston. lVhenthe skip returns to its loading position to be again charged withaggregates, the connection between the shafts 34 and 10 is broken byrecession of the pin 8, whereupon the spring 76 acts to turn the shaftand return the piston to its forward position, this causing circulationof the liquid within the cylinder 65 through theby-passTO which isrestricted by the valve 24 so that the movement of the piston isrelatively slow, depending upon the size of the available openingthrough the valve24 and upon the force of the spring 76.

78, 78 (Figs. 11, 13 and 16) are lugs projecting from the cylinder 65.These are internally screw-threaded to receive bolts or screws by whichthe cylinder is supported within the casing E. 7 9 is another lug inwhich is supported a stud shaft (Figs. 4, 5 and 9-) on which is mounteda locking latch or trigger 18.

I will now describe the mechanism for giving the signals to indicate,first, when the batch timer begins to operate, and, second, when itcompletes its operation, the first signal notifying the attendant thatthe mixing of the batch has commenced, and the latter that it has beencompleted, or rather, has continued for the length of time measured bythe batch meter;

7 Referring to Figs. 3 to 8, 41 indicates a bell, which is typical of adevice for giving r the signals justreferredto, It is showiias.supported below the casing E enclosing the batch meter. The mechanismfor operating the bell nay befvariously:,constructed, that which Iillustrate, comprising a reciprocate.

ing striker niechanism42that is-acted upon byan angular bell lever'43.,A lever '44, here%. in termed'; the trigger. lever, is supporteduponthe same shaft asthe bell-operating.

lever 43 and carries at its forwardend the -trigger', the'headcream-shaped end 58 of which bears upon the peripheral edge of the disc4and=is adapted to enter the recesses, 6- "and 31, when these come jopposite to the head; A spring 56; is interposed between the trigger 5andthe trigger lever 44, and tends the periphery of the disc 4, hencebeing under to force the head end of the trigger against greater tensionwhen the head end of the trigger is moved away from the centerofthe discthan when it is allowed to approach such center, as when the cam-shapedportion of the head enters one of the'recesses, 6 or 31.

:"The normal positionsof the parts being described, that is,thepositionstheyoccupy when the loading skip is down, and the batchmeter is at .rest,-is ,representedin Fig. 6.. Re- "ferring to thisview'it 1 will be seen that the head of thetriggerb lies Within therecess '31 of the disc 4, and hence the spring 56 is" under littletension, that thestriking mechanism. 42jiS elevated, and that the pin 8is in engagement With the arm 9 on the shaft 10,.

As the disc 4 is turned in the direction of the arrow,.by the skipengaging with the I push rod 1,'the spring 3 is put'under tension, andthe arm 9 is rotated, setting the timing mechanism. During the firstpart of its movement the arm 9. passes the head of the trigger 5,-movingthe latter out of its path,

to be immediately restored to engagement withthe periphery of the disc4by the spring 56; e The pivotal connection ofthe link 57 with the disc 4has an angular. movement correspondingwith,thatiof the'disc, but towardthe *end} of the. movement of the latter an olfsetportion of theprojectiong32'of; the disc comes into engagement with the link 57 andturns it upon its pivot, as indicated in Fig. 7 thus causing the end ofthe link to which the spring 3 is connected tohave' jan spondin ly rapidincrease in thetensionof The extent offthe angular accelerated movementduring the latter part of the rotation of the disc. 4, with a correthespring 8. movement given to the disc 4 is. determined by the positionsof'the projections {Rand-33.-

A stationary pin 59 located between and in the paths of movement. ofthese projections serves as an abutment against which they respectivelybear, the projection 33 engaging with the pin when the parts, areinnormal position,.Fig. 6, and the projection engaging therewith when theparts are, in

position to setthe ti ning mechanism."

mod-tee:

parts remain in the position represented in Fig. 7 so longasthe skip israised, but when,

after it has delivered its complete charge into the mixer, it is loweredthe spring 8 rapidlyjrestores'thedisc .4 town'ormal p osi tion; Asit'does so the pin Sleaves thearm 9, which follows} slowly as thetiming. mechanism operates. The head of the trigger 5, as has:beenfnoted,liesjwithingthe recess 6 when thelparts are insetposition,Fig.' so

that as the disc begins its reverse movement it carries with it thetrigger, and the trigger lever 44 and the belllever 43. arej noved,setting the striking mechanism'f42. of the bell in position tosound asignal. After a short movement of'the trigger, sufficient to set thestriking mechanism as just described, the cam surfaceof the triggerhead: 58 comes into engagement with a fixed'pin 'Z, whichjcauses thetrigger to rock upon its pivot, putting the spring 56 under tension andat the same time withdrawinggthe projecting end of the head from the'recess' 6. 'This movement causes the bell striking mechanism; to .beoperated, and a signal is given, indicating that the timed mixingoperation has begun.

As soon as the signal has been given, and the recess 6 in the disc 4passes beyond the head'58 of the trigger,,the bell striking mechanism 42rises, but remains in set position until-the recess 31' comes'oppositethe head when the partsof the bell striking mechanism assumethepositionsindicatedlin F ig. 6 where they'remainuntilthe' arm 9-approaches the completion of its movement,

indicating that tlie'tinied mixing. operation is about completed. v Thearm is arranged to i Y engage'with the head of the'bell trigger and moveit in a downward direction andtowardthe pin 7, Fig.8, when. the strikingoperations thatl have been described are repeated, the signal takingpl'aceatthemoment the timed mixing operatioiiis completed, and notifyingthe attendantthatthe batch of concrete within the drui nfmaybedischarged, i Y a r Itis a requirementliii inixing machines that thedelivery chute shall be locked in inactive or non-delivery positionduringthe entire mixing period, and have provided means for effectingsuch. locking controlled by thebatc 'ftiming mechanism that I" havedescribed.

rod,.with which the latch 18 that has been 7 referred to is adapted toengage; and, when u "s s emsetfialss ream r ,17 i

held rigidly in looking position. A spring 20 connected with the latch18 tends to move it into position to engage :the collar 19. The latch isprovided with a pin21 with which engages a cam 30 mounted upon the shaft64 17 freeto be moved, and hence unlocking the discharge chute; but whenthe parts are moved to set the timing mechanism, Fig. 5, the cam isdisengaged from the pin and the latch 18 is freed and is immediatelymoved by the spring. 20 into position to engage with the locking collar19. If the discharge chuteat this instance be in inactive, non-delivery,position, it is immediately locked in that position. If, however, the.chute C should happen to be in position to deliver material from themixing drum the rod 17 will be raised with the collar 19 above the latchor trigger18 and not engaged thereby, although the latter had moved intolocking position. However, the trigger will not interfere with themovement of the delivery chute to non-deliveryposition and the movementof the rod 17 downwardly under the driving force of the spring 22, asthe pivoted-latch 18 will yield topermit the collar '19 to pass its freeend, and when this has taken place the spring 20 will immediatelyrestore the latch to its locking position, now above or in engagementwith the collar.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the locking bolt or bar lTconnected with anextension rod 85 that is connected with a bell crank lever 84:, which inturn is connected,by a link 83. with thecontrol arm F of the'powerdriven mechanism that moves the delivery chute arranged within thecasing I). When the rod 17 is looked, as has been described, the arm Fcannot be shifted,and hence the delivery chute cannot be moved from itsinactive to its delivery position.

In Fig. 2 is shown another arrangement by which the delivery chute islocked. In this view the batch timing mechanism is representedas beingmounted in close proximity to the casing D enclosing the power drivenmechanism for operating the delivery chute so that the locking rod 17may extend directly from the casingE into the casing D and engage withan arm60, connected with the control arm or handle F. In this instancethe rod 17 is shown as provided with a tappet arm 63, located withoutthe casing D and arranged to be acted upon by a pin 62 carried by aneccentric cream 61 that is supported upon the shaft 71. of the powerdriven mechanism foroperating the discharge chute. .This shafth is apart of the power driven gearing that operates the discharge chute andwhen such mechanism is moved to put the chute into delivery position therotating cam 61 occupies the position indicated in full lines, liftingthe tappet arm 63 and the locking rod 1?. But when the parts of thepower driven mechanism are moved to shift the delivery chute into itsinactive or nondelivery position, the cam 61 occupies the position shownin dotted lines, and then the rod 1? is free to fall and be locked assoon as the latch .18 is freed.

Still referring to Fig. 2, indicates an thatoperates theclutchcontrolling the movements of the loading skip, and 46 an armoperatingthe brake that controls the downward movement of the loadingskip. As

representechthe arm 45 carries a contact piece 55 that is adapted toengage with an adjustable collar or nut 50 upon a rod 49 that isconnected with a hell crank lever d8 which in turn is connected by alink or connecting rod d7 with the lever 2 of the batch timingmechanism. It will be seen that this arrangement of linkage betweenthe'levcr 4.5 and the arm 2 takes the place of the push rod 1 operateddirectly by the loading skip and illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the illustration of my invention in Fig. 2 the batch timing mechanismis set as soon as the clutch lever 45 is moved and the loading skipcommences its upward movement, while in the form of invention shown inFig. 1 the setting ofthe batch timing mechanism dcesnot take place untilthe skip has reached the end of its upward movement, and is in positionto deliver its charge.

Referring again to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the brake control arm46is connected by a link 54 with a bell crank lever 52, the free end ofwhich controls a latch 51 upon which acts a spring 53. The latch is inthe path of the adjustable nut or collar 50 and is adapted to engagetherewith and hold the linkage that is connected with the setting arm 2of the batch timing mechanism in the position to which it may be movedby the lever 45 that controls the lifting ofthe loading skip, that is tosay, holds the batch timer in its set position. When, however, thebrakecontrol arm 46 is moved the latch is retracted so as to disengage thecollar 50, thus freeing the batch timing mechanism and allowing it to gothrough its movements. It will be seen that in both illustrations ofinvention, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2 the batch timing mechanism isset when the mixing drum is being charged, and is released so as tobegin its timing movement when the full charge from the loading skip hasbeen delivered into the mixing drum, that is, when the loading skipbegins its downward movement.

It will be seen that the mechanism employed to set the timing devicecomprises two r itsassociated parts, and the shaft with z 7 itsconnectionsf and that the two parts move j together when the timingdevice is being set,

7 but independently during their reversemovements; and also that oneof'the parts is arranged to opera'te the alarm or, signal device at thestartinggof the timing operation, and {the other. part operates thealarm or signal at the closeof the timing operation.

' 1. The combination with mechanism whose operations areto be timed andan element operating preliminary to thejcommencement ing-fdevicesetuntil "the preliminary opera of the timing operation, of a timingdevice,

and means for settingt-he timing device, comprising two'parts, oneconnected withthe timing device and the other operated by thepreliminarily operating element, the latter part moving the former toset the timing device as the preliminary operation is taking place,

and operating to positively maintain the'tim-' i, f tionis'fullycompleted and then separating [froman'd leaving it free after suchprelimitiming device and the'operating part connected withit which isset when the timing naryvopei'ation, and ameans formoving the device isset, andoperating thelatter' when jitisfreed.

2. The combination withmechanism whose operations are to'be timed and-anelement operating'preliminary to the commencement of the tuningoperation, ofaftimmg device and means for setting it, comprising a shaftthat operates the timing device, anothershaft operated by thepreliminarilyoperating element, thesecond shaft moving the first as the"preliminaryoperation is taking place, and operating to maintainthetiming device in set position until the preliminary operation is ,fully,completed, but being disconnected therefrom and leaving it free afterthe pref limin'ary operation is completed, and means.

for moving the said first shaft and timing device when the shaftsfaredisconnected. Y 3.1 The combination with mechanism whose operations areto; betimed and an element operatingpreliminary to'the commencement 'offthe timing operation, of a timing-device iand'means for setting'it,comprising ashaft that operates the timing device, another shaftoperatedby the preliminary operating element, the second shaft movingthe first as to I the first mentioned shaft arranged toqbe' put "undertension whenthe timing device'is'set [and serving to move the timingdeviceiupon {the shafts being disconnected and the timing devicereleased, and another spring connected the, preliminary operationistaking place,

- v andi positively maintaining the timing device inset conditionandjagainst movement until the.- preliminary operation has beencompleted,but beingldisconnec'ted therefrom" and leavingjit free afterthe preliminary operatlon is completed, a spring connected with1,'soo,eee v operating to operate it, means between the two shafts bywhich the first turns the second whenmoving in'one direction, andpositively maintains the timing device inset condition until itsmovement in sa1d one d rection s completedand the reverse movementbegun, but disconnects therefrom on its reversemovement, and anoperating spring connected with the second shaft put under tensionwhenthe said shaft: is driven by the first'and operating the tim ing devicewhen the shafts are disconnected. 5'. The combination with mechanismwhose operations are'to be timed, and anelement operating preliminary tothe commencement of the timing operation, of a timing device,-

as'haft arranged to be moved through a lim ited range by thepreliminarily operating element, a second shaft connected with thetiming device to operate it, means between the said shafts'by whichthesecond is driven by the first when moved in one direction, to set'it andmaintain it set during the full'said movement ofthe shaft in onedirection, but

separating ongthe return movement of the first shaft, and means'forreturning the second shaft and thereby'f driving the timing device,ata'relatively slow speed as compared with the return movement of thefirst shaft.

" 6. The combination with mechanism whose operations areto be timed, andan element operating preliminary to the commencement of the timingoperation," of a timing device, means for setting it comprising twoparts, one connected withfthetimingdevice and the other operated by thepreliminarily operating eIementQthelatter moving the former to set thetiming device when the preliminary operation takes place, and separatingtherefrom, leavingthe timing device free to function,

after suchpreliminary operation, a "signal,

and means arranged to be operated by the means for-setting the timingdevicelfor causing the signal to function, first when the two partsvthereof separate, and again upon the completion of thetiming.operation;'

17. The combination stated in claim 6, in-

eluding a signal, arranged to be operated by the first named shafton'its reverse movement,-indicating-that the timing device has begun tofunction, and again operated from operation of the timin 1 i V 8JAmechanism foritimingthe operations the second shaft'upon the completionof the of .anapparatus, such as a mixing machine, comprising a shaftcarrying a contact projection, a second shaft in line with the first,carrying an arm adapted to be engagedby the said contact projection tocause rotation of the second shaft, a cylinder containing a confinedbody of liquid and a piston moving in the cylinder and causingcirculation of the liquid around the piston, gearing between the secondshaft and the piston, a spring to move the second shaft and piston inone direction, and means for moving the first shaft rapidly to cause itto rotate the second shaft and for returning it, leaving the secondshaft free to be moved more slowly by the spring.

9. The combination stated in claim 8, including also a signal device,and means for operating the signal arranged to be operated to give asignal upon the return movement of the first shaft, and also upon thecompletion of the movement of the timing mechanism.

10. The combination with a device for timing the operations ofmechanism, of a disc arranged to have a limited rotative movement, thedisc carrying a projecting pin, a shaft coaxial with the disc carryingan arm lying adjacent to the disc and arranged to be acted upon by thepin projecting from the disc whereby the shaft is turned in onedirection, a spring acting upon the shaft and arranged to be put undertension when the shaft is turned by the movement of the disc, a timingmechanism geared with the shaft and arranged to be moved relativelyslowly by the spring when free, and means for oscillating the disc atrelatively high speed.

11. The combination with a device for timing the operations ofmechanism, of a disc arranged to have a limited rotative movement, thedisc carryim a projecting pin, a shaft coaxial with the disc carrying anarm lying adjacent to the disc and arranged to be acted upon by the pinprojecting from the disc whereby the shaft is turned in one direction, aspring acting upon the shaft and arranged to be put under tension whenthe shaft is turned by the movement of the disc, a timing mechanismgeared with the shaft and arranged to be moved relatively slowly by thespring when free, means for oscillating the disc at relatively highspeed, and signal operating mechanism having a part in engagement withthe disc and actuated thereby on its return movement after it has movedthe shaft and put the spring under tension, and arranged also to beactuated by the arm of the shaft upon the completion of the timingoperation. i

12. The combination with mechanism whose operations are to be timed, ofa timing device, a shaft that operates the timing de vice, a springconnected with said shaft, a second shaft arranged to move the firstwhen turned in one direction, means for oscillating the second shaft inone direction to turn the first shaft and put the spring thereof undertension, a spring connected with the second shaft and put under tensionwhen it is oscillated as described, and means for shifting theconnection of the said spring with its shaft as it is oscillated to putincreased tension upon the spring, the latter spring serving to rapidlymove the second shaft on its return oscillation, andcause disconnectionbetween the two shafts,leaving the first shaft freeto be turned slowlyby its spring to cause the timing device to function.

13. The combination of a timingdevice for a concrete mixing machine orother apparatus, a spring for moving the timing device, gearing throughwhich the spring acts to operate the timing device, means for setting'thetimingdevice and putting the spring under tenslon, a casing inWlllCl'l theenumera'ted devices are supported, a rod mounted within thecasing and extending to the exterior thereof and arranged to functionduring the operation of the timing device, a pivoted latch arranged toact upon the rod and hold it against movement, a spring tendingtomovethe latch into position engaging the rod and means carried by thegearing for acting on the latch to move it into position to release therod when the timing device completes its movement.

14. A batch meter comprising a cylinder in which is confined a body ofliquid, having a longitudinal bore, a piston working in the bore of thecylinder, a bypass between the opposite ends of the piston, a valve inthe bypass for restricting the flow of liquid through it, there being avalve controlled passage through the piston permitting free flow of thefluid in one direction but obstructing the flow in the oppositedirection, and there being a radial opening through the pistoncommunicating with the passage through it, and another opening, in thecylinder, connecting the by-pass with the longitudinal bore of thecylinder, these openings being arranged to register with each other asthe piston approaches the limit of its movement in the direction opposedby the liquid having to pass through the restricted by-pass, wherebywhen they register the restricted portion of the by-pass is cut out andthe circulation of liquid is free, permitting the piston to finish itsmovement rapidly, and a spring acting on the piston to move it in thedirection herein referred to.

15. In a timing device adapted for use on concrete mixers, a dash pot, acoiled torsion spring, a gear train between said spring and the pistonof the dash pot, means to put the spring under tension and to set thetiming device and means to release the spring to permit it to operatethe timing device.

16. A timing device adapted for use on concrete mixers comprising adashpot with a cylinder and a piston working therein to circulate aconfined body of fluid, a train of gearing mounted on the dashpot, acoiled S ring supported on the cylinderiand eonnected into the geartrain, and means for placing the spring under tension, the spring whenunder tension "operating through the gear trainto retractthe pistonolthe dashpot and when released to move it against .the

I fluid Within the ldashpot that opposes the i movemen-tsof the piston.

1 l7; The combination of a device for timing apparatus arranged to besetand When released to run for a determined period,- oomprising a dashpot, atorsion spring, a gear i trainhetween the spring and the piston ofthe dash pot a spring-actuated rod, 'alateh for V engaging with the rodand preventing its movement, means to put the said torsion spring undertension and set the timing mechanism, means to release the timingmechanism to permitv itto function, and

means operated from the saidgear train to move. the latch into operativeengagement with the rod while the timing device is functioning.

" v SAMUELSHAFER, JR.

